Win or go home for Tigers, Bulldogs
University of Santo Tomas Head Coach Pido Jarencio likes the Growling Tigers' chances in their knockout match against top seed National University Bulldogs on Saturday.
"Nothing to lose ang mentality namin. Ang pressure ay nasa kanila (NU) at wala sa amin. Ang importante lang, ready kami," said Jarencio. "Parang 2006 ang situation namin ngayon, Parang halos ganito scenario."
UST placed third in 2006 where they overhauled 2No. 2 University of the East's twice-to-beat edge to barge into the best-of-three finals against Ateneo. The Growling Tigers defeated the Blue Eagles in three games, 2-1, to rule Season 69.
Jarencio said prolific guard Jeric Teng's return in the second round helped UST's campaign. "Timing nung bumalik si Jeric at paangat din ang team."
Eric Altamirano, Jarencio's opponent on the other side of the court, knows the season is not yet over for his Bulldogs.
"It's more on mental. We lost our focus and we lost our discipline. Nahaluan pa ng gigil, I don't think we played our best game," Altamirano said. "We just need to prepare better especially naibalik ng UST ang dating confidence nila."
Altamirano said he is still thankful that they hold a twice-to-beat edge. "You would feel the pressure at the start of the season. We're happy that we're in this position. It has been a long time since NU has been competitive, hopefully, this year could be our year."
He added that his Bulldogs need to maintain their composure and not be intimidated by the Growling Tigers. "We need to be tough mentally. The way UST is playing a lot of physicality, we have to play with a lot of composure at huwag kami mag-panic. All the time naman we always expect the game to be physical."
"Nothing to lose ang mentality namin. Ang pressure ay nasa kanila (NU) at wala sa amin. Ang importante lang, ready kami," said Jarencio. "Parang 2006 ang situation namin ngayon, Parang halos ganito scenario."
The Growling Tigers sent their semis series against the Bulldogs into a knock-out encounter after a 71-62 win last Sunday.
Jarencio said prolific guard Jeric Teng's return in the second round helped UST's campaign. "Timing nung bumalik si Jeric at paangat din ang team."
Eric Altamirano, Jarencio's opponent on the other side of the court, knows the season is not yet over for his Bulldogs.
"It's more on mental. We lost our focus and we lost our discipline. Nahaluan pa ng gigil, I don't think we played our best game," Altamirano said. "We just need to prepare better especially naibalik ng UST ang dating confidence nila."
Altamirano said he is still thankful that they hold a twice-to-beat edge. "You would feel the pressure at the start of the season. We're happy that we're in this position. It has been a long time since NU has been competitive, hopefully, this year could be our year."
He added that his Bulldogs need to maintain their composure and not be intimidated by the Growling Tigers. "We need to be tough mentally. The way UST is playing a lot of physicality, we have to play with a lot of composure at huwag kami mag-panic. All the time naman we always expect the game to be physical."
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